Senior Program Manager I - Flatellite
About The Position
Rocket Lab is seeking a Senior Technical Program Manager I for its Flatellite high-volume satellite production program, based at the company’s global headquarters in Long Beach, California. The role has program authority for production rate, yield, unit cost, and strategic program decisions, guiding satellites from prototype maturity through full-rate production and flight. The program manager owns the technical roadmap and leads the transition from concept and qualification to production at scale. The position involves running multiple programs, making architectural decisions with Chief Engineers, navigating design-for-manufacturing and production-rate trade-offs, managing suppliers and subcontracts, and coordinating teams across manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and test. The role also serves as the primary contact for assigned commercial constellation operators and works with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives. Rocket Lab offers company stock and a comprehensive benefits package. The listed California base pay range is $125,300–$187,850 USD; level and base salary are determined case by case based on job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The role may involve prolonged sitting, standing, walking, and computer work, as well as occasional exposure to moderate noise, dust, and fumes in production areas.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in physics, math, science, or another technical discipline.
- At least 5 years of aerospace program management experience.
- Demonstrated experience owning a technical program, product, or team end to end and delivering under pressure.
- Evidence of moving hardware and software from prototype toward high-rate production, with quantified yield, throughput, and cost gains.
- Understanding of takt time, line-of-balance, design-for-manufacturing, and learning-curve economics.
- Experience identifying and mitigating tooling, supply-chain, or yield risks before they delay production.
- U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.
Nice To Haves
- A proven approach to transitioning low-volume prototypes into full-rate production without sacrificing mission reliability.
- Deep experience scaling satellite, aerospace, or analogous complex hardware production at volume.
- A repeatable record of reducing unit cost at production rate without sacrificing reliability.
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
- Systems engineering fluency, including trade studies, interface control, and requirement integrity.
- Experience using Jira, Confluence, and ERP/MRP systems to maintain program visibility.
- Multiple program cycles or 8 or more years of aerospace or defense experience.
Responsibilities
- Build and lead the team taking high-volume satellites from concept through qualification, full-rate production, and flight.
- Own the technical roadmap for developing the team’s core capabilities.
- Run multiple active programs and make architectural decisions with Chief Engineers.
- Navigate design-for-manufacturing, takt time, line-of-balance, and rate-readiness versus reliability trade-offs.
- Work directly with the team to address critical problems that threaten the production line.
- Develop team members and future program and team leaders, fostering smart risk-taking and a culture where the best ideas win.
- Manage high-stakes subcontracts and suppliers as strategic partners while protecting schedule and margin.
- Coordinate manufacturing, supply chain, integration, and test teams, and remove roadblocks.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned commercial constellation operators.
- Partner with Business Development and Strategy on proposals and technical narratives for future constellation production.
Benefits
- Company stock as part of total compensation.
- Employee Stock Purchase Program with a 15% discount on company stock.
- Medical plans, including HMO, PPO, and a zero-cost HDHP option with a company HSA contribution.
- Dental and vision coverage.
- Paid vacation and sick time.
- 11 paid holidays.
- Flexible spending and dependent care accounts.
- Paid parental leave.
- Disability and life insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Subsidized EV charging.
- Onsite fitness centers where available.
- Discounted gym memberships.
- Complimentary snacks and beverages.
- Employee discount on the company merchandise store and other employee discounts.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
